Lifesavers mourn loss of Sunshine Coast legend

The surf lifesaving community on Queensland's Sunshine Coast is mourning the death of a legend of the sport, Alan Coates.

Mr Coates, 69, died of a heart attack during a training paddle on his board at Noosa Heads yesterday morning.

He only stopped competing in surf sports after last year's Coolangatta Gold.

Noosa Heads surf club president Gerard O'Brien says Mr Coates was a lifesaver for 50 years.

"He's a life member of our club," Mr O'Brien said.

"He's made a huge contribution to our club both as a coach and a member - he's irreplaceable.

"He was always at the club, he was always there willing to lend a hand and offer a piece of advice, particularly to the young members of the club.

"They will deeply miss him and things won't seem the same without 'Coatesy' around - he was just a great guy."

Mr O'Brien says Mr Coates died doing what he loved.

"It was a terrible tragedy but as I say to our members you've got to remember that Coatesy, he died the way he would have wanted - out on the water, on his board, training in Laguna Bay and doing what he really loved," he said.